Connected. supported. Safe.
That’s the theme of Construction Safety Week 2022, which runs from May 2-6.
“It’s appropriate given that we’ve been offline during the pandemic and now we need to be better connected and support each other to keep each other safe,” said Craig Lesurf, chairman of the Gillam Group, who is also chairman of the Champions League and the Champions League safety committee. the Ontario General Contractors Association.
“We’ve always said that every day is safety day and every week is safety week and every month is safety month, but sometimes it takes a little extra effort to let everyone know that must pay special attention to safety. and observing their surroundings.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health are hosting Occupational Safety and Health Week May 1-7 beginning with a national virtual kickoff on Monday (May 2) at 2 pm Other events will also be held throughout the week.
This is the first time in two years that many events will be held in person.
“I really want to do it in person and be in front of people, because the surest way to really affect someone is to be in front of them,” Lesurf said. “We talked about how it only takes a moment in time, a momentary lapse in judgment for something tragic to happen, and sometimes people need to be reminded of that.”
Tuesday (May 3) will also mark the second annual Occupational Safety and Health Day, Lesurf noted. Bill 152, passed last year by the province of Ontario, proclaims the first Tuesday in May each year as Workplace Safety and Health Day.
In honor of Safety Week, various events and activities will be held across Canada and the US organized by various stakeholders in the construction industry. Examples of events include Safety Appreciation Breakfasts and Luncheons; informative talks; morning stretching sessions; raise money for security related charities or mental health charities; activities like bocce ball or a putt contest; sweepstakes; and vendor demonstrations.
“We’re hoping to keep safety front and center in everyone’s thoughts because everyone can get complacent and that’s the biggest fear,” Lesurf said.
Several companies will also hold Champions League events during the week. Gillam Group, for example, is having workers at its sites sign the Champions League jersey again or for the first time if they haven’t already signed it.
“We want you to renew your commitment to making sure you work safe every day, that everyone around you works safe every day, and that everyone goes home safe at the end of the day,” Lesurf said. “By doing that, we’re going to refocus everyone’s energy on the spring. We are coming out of, hopefully, the sixth wave and we are going to leave behind the old ways and come to a new reality that works safely every day in a pandemic state where there is COVID.”
May 2-8 is also the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Mental Health Week. For more information visit https://www.mentalhealthweek.ca/
For more information on Safety and Health Week, visit https://www.safetyandhealthweek.ca/english/ either https://www.ccohs.ca/events/safety-and-health-week/
For more information visit Construction Safety Week – Safety Week 2022.
Follow the author on Twitter @DCN_Angela.
Reference-canada.constructconnect.com